Final answer:
Body temperature can be influenced by environmental temperature, hormonal levels affecting the basal metabolic rate, and body size and composition which determines heat retention and loss. Body temperature regulation involves complex negative feedback systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Three factors that may affect body temperature are:
- Environmental temperature: Temperature varies by latitude, and this influences the body's ability to retain or lose heat. Additionally, exposure to cold or heat can cause the body to react differently to maintain its core temperature.
- Hormonal levels: Hormones such as catecholamines and thyroid hormones can regulate the basal metabolic rate (BMR), which in turn affects body temperature. For instance, an increase in these hormones can elevate BMR and body temperature.
- Body size and composition: The surface area relative to mass affects heat retention and loss. Larger individuals with more surface area can lose heat more quickly, whereas smaller individuals with less surface area relative to their mass tend to retain heat longer.
Body temperature regulation is a complex process involving negative feedback systems. When the body temperature rises, the brain triggers mechanisms such as sweating and dilation of blood vessels near the skin surface to help cool down the body.